Youth travel agency KILROY opens first UK store in Bristol

Youth travel agency KILROY opens in Bristol on 16 September, and is inviting you to its launch event to help celebrate!

Join them from 12pm on Saturday 16 September when the youth travel specialists will be officially opening the Bristol store at 43 Queens Road, Clifton. To celebrate, they will be putting on a day of travel talks, prize giveaways and entertainment.

From the start of the event at midday, KILROY will be celebrating by giving away five incredible trips every hour. Their local team of travel experts will be presenting talks on Thailand, Peru, surfing and working holidays in Australia.

There’ll also be food and drinks, music from local DJ Bad n Boothe, plus more fun activities planned until the event finishes at 5pm.

Find out more at kilroy.co.uk

OUR SEPTEMBER ISSUE IS OUT!

You'll love our fabulous September magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. We really hope you'll enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Autumn fruit, four ways

Curried Apple Soup (serves 4)

Sauté 1 large onion (peeled and chopped) in a little bit of butter and oil until translucent. Add 1 tbsp mild/medium curry powder and continue to sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the curry powder releases its fragrance. Add 3 large, tart apples (peeled and chopped), cover with 600ml chicken or vegetable stock and simmer for 15 minutes or until the apples are soft. Blend or process to the consistency of your choice, add the juice of ½ lemon and season well. Serve with onion bhajis on the side.

Roast Duck with Plum Sauce (serves 4)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Pull the fat from the cavity of 1 whole duck (1.75k approx) and trim off any excess. Sit the duck on a rack over a roasting tin, sprinkle with salt and roast for 1½ hours. Take the duck off the rack and pour away the fat collected in the bottom of the tin (top tip: save the fat for roast potatoes, either to serve with the duck or at a later date). Scatter 8 ripe but firm plums (stoned and halved) across the bottom of the roasting tin along with 1 red onion (peeled and sliced), 175ml red wine, 200ml chicken stock, 2 cinnamon sticks and 2 star anise. Put the duck on top of the mixture and roast for another 1¼ hours, or until the juices from the duck run clear when pierced with a fork. Allow the duck to rest for at 20 least minutes before carving and serve alongside the roasted plums, drizzled with the sieved juices from the roasting tin. Suggested side dishes: mashed or roast potatoes; braised red cabbage.

Goats' Cheese and Honey Figs (makes 16 delectable little bites)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Cut 8 ripe but firm figs in half and place cut-side up on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Cut a cross into the middle of each fig (taking care not to cut all the way through the skin) and lightly squeeze the figs to open up the crosses. Crumble around 100g soft goats' cheese (or Dolcelatte, if you prefer) over and into each fig, pressing the cheese into the fig flesh a little bit as you go. Drizzle each fig with clear honey, scatter with fresh thyme leaves and bake for 5 minutes or until the figs are sticky and soft and the cheese/honey drizzle has caramelised nicely. Serve warm, as part of a cheese board or canapé selection.

Pear and Blackberry Cobbler (serves 6)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Peel, core and chop 500g ripe pears and tumble into a greased ovenproof dish. Scatter with 400g blackberries, 50g golden caster sugar and 1 tbsp cornflour and gently combine. Tip 175g self-raising flour into the bowl of a food processor, add 75g chilled unsalted butter (cubed) and process briefly to create crumbs (or, rub the butter into the flour using the tips of your fingers). Add 125ml natural yoghurt or 125ml buttermilk and squidge together to form a dough. Form the dough into clumps and cover the fruit, leaving little gaps between each clump. Sprinkle with 100g golden caster or demerara sugar and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the fruit is tender and the topping a pale golden-brown. Serve warm with custard, thick cream or ice cream.

Discover South African wines

South Africa is one of the world's most exciting wine-producing countries. Its warm climate is cooled by sea breezes from the Atlantic and Indian oceans on either side resulting in a climatic range fit to accommodate the ripening needs of vines as diverse as Grenache to Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

South Africa's winemakers constantly inspire us with their enthusiasm and innovation and efforts to support the country's numerous empowerment projects, which educate, house and employ disadvantaged communities and make wine a unifying project for the nation.

Mountain Red – Thelema Mountain Vineyards
A rich, spicy Rhone-style red, brimming with mulberries and plums, seasoned by a scattering of black pepper and sun-baked fynbos herbs. The quality of both fruit and winemaking shine through its silky tannins and the harmony and balance | £11.10

Sutherland Cabernet Sauvignon - Thelema Mountain Vineyards
The dark fruit flavours and cassis on the nose are a prequel to the refreshing sweet fruit and ripe tannins the palate delivers. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and will reward cellaring | £16.60

Sparklehorse – Ken Forrester Wines
Ken Forrester has a superb reputation for Chenin Blanc, and this first sparkling wine in the classic tradition is no exception. It has a creamy and delicate mousse while maintaining bright, fresh apple, pear and quince aromas | £22

Dirty Little Secret Three – Ken Forrester Wines
Tight, bright, minerally wine, built to age and gain complexity in bottle. Austere but rich, and with a peardrop intensity, it is elegant and driven by a totally mineral core that holds all of the fruit and lasts forever on the palate. | £77.50

South African wines are currently at least 25% off when you buy as part of a mixed dozen. Shop now at greatwine.co.uk

Neal’s Yard Remedies Mother & Baby Travel Kit | £37

The new Mother & Baby Travel Kit brings together a selection of certified organic must-have product a convenient travel size – ideal for mums and babies on the go!

This wonderful kit contains five favourite products, each carefully created form a blend of organic essentials oils and planet extracts to gently cleanse, nourish and protect the skin all within an organic cotton travel wash bag – perfect to pop into the changing bag so you’ll always have your essentials to hand!

Shop now at nealsyardremedies.com

Circus NY Zuri Satin Cross-Strap Ballet Flats | £90

Cloaked in satin and signed off with cross-over buckle straps, these flats by Circus NY are the ultimate ballet-core accessory. 100% Satin upper and rubber outsole.

To shop, go to anthropologie.com

23/24 Bristol Bears Away Shirt | £70.00

Get kitted out like your favourite players with the 23/24 Bristol Bears Away Shirt.

Inspired by the iconic ‘Ursa the Bear' sculpture that stood proudly in the city for more than six years.

Created by artist Jamie Gillman, Ursa looked over the Bearpit in the heart of the city centre from 2013-2019. Now, in partnership with Jamie, Ursa has been reimagined and recreated in a stylish black-and-white strip, to be worn by the club’s men's and women’s teams on the road this season.

Visit shop.bristol-sport.co.uk to shop

The most beautiful pearls

Celebrating 130 years since Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls.

His obsessive love for these precious organic gems has become known world over as Mikimoto: the Japanese jewellery house associated with cultivating the finest quality cultured Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian pearls and turning them into sophisticated and iconic pieces of beautiful jewellery. Highly sought-after, a Mikimoto creation is a pleasure to wear and a timeless statement of elegance.

Click here to discover a range of Mikimoto jewellery at Mallory.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Annual journal Sick is back. Now based in the USA where its founder and editor Olivia Spring has returned, Sick is created by chronically ill and disabled people to support and elevate the voices of that community by publishing a distinctive mix of literature and visual art. Olivia Spring set out on the project to tackle stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disability with a mission to ‘reject productivity as means of value’. So it follows that Sick is always an enlightening read that also feels amiable and thoughtful, with a disarming casualness that's refreshing in a scene that can be too frenzied. Perhaps it’s true that the best things in life take time... | £10

AW23 Trunk Show

Harvey Nichols is delighted to invite you to their AW23 Trunk Show.

Join their private shopping team at Harvey Nichols Bristol for drinks and canapes, and a showcase of the top trends of the new season.

20 September | 3pm or 6.30pm | Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols Bristol 
Buy tickets at eventbrite.co.uk

Stillness & Life: Sally Stafford & Lynne Cartlidge

Exhibition at Clifton Contemporary Art

The shimmer and dance of wildflower meadows define Sally Stafford’s subtly dynamic and intricate paintings. Her new works immerse us in this precious, rare and unspoilt world, reminding us that we’re part of nature, not distant observers.

Elegantly complementing the meadowscapes are new paintings from Lynne Cartlidge. Transforming their domestic settings, Lynne’s paintings possess a radiant warmth and living presence.

Now - 26 September | Clifton Contemporary Art, 25 Portland Street, Clifton
Find out more at cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

Theatre review: Fanboy

Written and performed by Joe Sellman-Leava (one part of Worklight Theatre) Fanboy takes its audience on a journey of self-discovery – with a Star Wars-themed twist.

There’s no two ways about it. Joe is a geek.

Standing in his childhood bedroom, which is chocka with the memorabilia of days gone by, Joe (played by Joe Sellman-Leava) gives us a rundown of the pop culture items that he’s particularly enthusiastic about. From The Lord of the Rings, to Mario Kart, to David Attenborough and Studio Ghibli, it’s a full-fanboy-house – and our protagonist is more than happy to admit that his tastes are of the nerdier variety.

But despite his appreciation for Tolkien and Nintendo, nothing holds a candle to Joe’s one true love. Because for Joe, all roads lead back to Star Wars. He loves everything about Lucas’ universe of ‘space wizards’. Even Jar Jar Binks. Even (as will become important) The Dreaded Prequels. And when he stumbles across an old cassette tape that takes him back to that first foray into Skywalker territory, our protagonist finds himself on a journey through time and space – revisiting the past, before taking an unplanned detour into the future.

So much is packed into Fanboy’s speedy 65-minute run that it’s easy to miss the quiet brilliance of Sellman-Leava’s script, which swings a surprisingly effective emotional left hook. In one of many well-observed moments, Sellman-Leava comments on how divisive society has become. We’re in a period of cultural civil war, Joe suggests, in which you’re either in a club (/fandom) or out of it. There is no middle ground, conversation, or empathy; instead, we’ve grown fond of building walls and using them to keep people separate from one another. It’s a timely topic approached through a novel lens, and successfully provides a nice bit of weight to a show that, on the less-serious flip side, features a lengthy (but excellent) re-enactment of The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Sellman-Leava’s is a confidently executed piece about coming to terms with who we really are. Perhaps I can amend the opening sentence of this review. Joe is, was, and always will be a fanboy. He wouldn’t have it any other way – and neither would we. A charming, one-mad ode to fan culture and enthusiasm.

Last chance to see Fanboy is at Tobacco Factory Theatres tonight, 8 September. Tickets are available at tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Frampton Country Fair

Held in 30 acres of beautiful parkland of Frampton Court Estate, this is one of the last truly traditional country fairs. Join them in celebrating all that is great about the countryside and the people who work and live in it.

With over 400 trade stands, three display rings and a traditional fun-fair there is so much to see and do.

Sunday 10 September | Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire GL2 7EP
Visit framptoncountryfair.co.uk to buy tickets and learn more

Ultimate Dinosaurs with Dr Ben Garrod

Ultimate Dinosaurs is the hit sold-out stage show starring dinosaur aficionado Dr Ben Garrod. Get ready to go on an exciting pre-historic adventure as Ben talks you through the deadliest predators that ever roamed the planet.

Pitting the knowledge of unwitting parents against their all-knowing kids, Dr Ben presents an interactive, educational and highly entertaining show. So come and test your knowledge against Dr Ben in this hit live interactive show which is bigger and better than ever.

Friday 22 September | 7pm - 10pm
1532 Performing Arts Centre, Elton Rd, Bristol BS8 1SJ
Go to bengarrod.co.uk for tickets

Bath Buildings, Montpelier, Bristol

Offered for sale by Ocean estate agents

Ivy Cottage is an attractive, two bedroom, semi detatched double fronted Georgian property - located in the heart of the vibrant Montpelier community it has a fresh modern décor sitting effortlessly alongside many retained period features - these include sash windows, stripped floors, cornicing, fireplaces and a wood burner.

The ground floor has two receptions and a kitchen. Each space has their own appeal - the lounge for example has a beautiful cast iron fireplace, the dining room has a wood burning stove and the kitchen has solid wooden worktops, a range cooker and flagstone flooring.

Stone stairs lead down to the lower ground floor to a good sized room with plenty of potential uses - e.g. a home office, music room, a cinema room or additional bedroom. This room also has a flagstone floor and there is a window which allows natural light.

The first floor has been historically reconfigured as the accommodation originally offered three bedrooms. Two of these were previously opened up to create a larger room now used as a combined bedroom and office area. It would be very easy though to split these rooms back into two.

The bathroom is a good size and has a roll top bath alongside a separate shower unit.

From the landing there is access out via a mainly glazed door into a private and recently extended raised decked courtyard which receives sunlight throughout the afternoon and evening in the summer.

The house has two outside areas, one of which is a rear courtyard accessed from the kitchen and the other is a recently extended decked courtyard opening from the first floor landing. Guide price £475,000

For more images and to read through all the details click here to see the property on the Ocean home website.